Ch. 72 Just Once (2)
That day, who tried to destroy Flower Bridge? Was it the Grand Duke of Lunen?"
Paveluc currently ruled over the grand duchy of Lunen. But despite Elena's expectations, Carlisle shook his head.
"No, but you seem to think poorly of my uncle. The other time you told me to beware of him."
He spoke of the night she first rescued Carlisle. She nodded in reply.
"I believe that the he will eventually reveal his teeth and try to take the throne."
She couldn't say that she knew the events of the future, but she could still give him warning.
"Possibly. But he is not the biggest obstacle to me becoming an emperor."
"Then…is it the Empress?"
While she did not forget that the Empress was the most powerful actor now, Elena placed heavier emphasis on Paveluc as he had taken the throne in the future.
"Yes. It is the emperor's second son and my brother Redfield that threatens to take the throne now. The Empress and the Anita family have a strong history."
"Then they were the ones that tried to destroy the bridge?"
"I believe so. The Anitas are the only ones who can do so while avoiding the eyes of the Imperial Family. I know it's them, but it's hard to find evidence. We're still interrogating the men you've captured, so hopefully something will turn up soon."
"They seemed well trained. I'm worried."
"We might have to manipulate the evidence."
The Empress's position was more powerful than she thought. Although Elena already knew that because of Kuhn, she had a feeling that the Empress would become a major obstacle in the future. In her past life, Paveluc killed the Empress Ophelia. But would another future unfold if she had not died?
Carlisle continued in a subdued voice.
"Everyone's attention will be on you from this time on. Even more so after we announce the wedding. Just like the warning you gave me before, I too will say something."
Elena gave a faint nod. Carlisle's low voice broke through her brooding thoughts.
"…Beware the Empress."
Carlisle's eyes instantly turned sharp. She caught a glimpse of anger lying beneath the surface, like a volcano poised to explode. Maybe the Empress Ophelia would be the one who she would encounter most after becoming crown princess. While the emperor ruled the empire, it was the empress who ruled the household. It was a power that had been handed down only to the empress from generation to generation.
'I must be prepared for sure.'
Elena was not a prominent member of society and it would be difficult to position herself. But Elena spoke firmly, reassuring him not to worry.
"I'll be fine. I'll never get caught easily."
At the same time, Elena made her vow to herself once again. Soon after she turned towards the brightly lit ballroom.
"Shall we go back to the battlefield?"
It would still be awhile until the ball would be over, and she was worried about Mirabelle. Encountering Paveluc had thrown her off, but at this rate the longer she stayed out here with Carlisle the wilder would gossip would grow. This was already enough.
"Alright. Let's go back."
Carlisle held out his hand and Elena gently took it.
"This place doesn't seem unfamiliar, somehow."
Freesia Palace. She hadn't been to many balls held by the Imperial Court, but she felt like she had seen this place before.
As Elena looked around at her surroundings, Carlisle was watching her profile quietly.
"I always thought the necklace would look good on you, but…"
"…?"
"I think it suits you better than I imagined. "
Her cheeks flushed. She had so many questioned about Freesia Palace, but they instantly blew away like smoke.
"Anyone who wore this necklace would–"
"The red diamond resembles your eyes. No one else's. That's why it looks so beautiful on you."
His straightforwardness left Elena at a loss of words. It was difficult to find something to say after someone complimented your beauty.
She moistened her lips a few times and stared ahead, her cheeks too red for her to face Carlisle.
*
*
*
When they returned, they found the ballroom was just as they left it. There was a sea of guests enjoying themselves, and couples of all ages whirled in the center. Several had moderately indulged themselves with wine and were loud in laughter. As Elena entered into the ballroom by Carlisle's side, countless eyes turned to her once again. This time she had completely regained her composure and floated in gracefully.
"I'll see to my sister now."
"Call me if anything happens."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Elena fell off from Carlisle's side and returned to where she had left Mirabelle. There was someone there she didn't expect at all.
"…Lady Lawrence?"
Margaret Lawrence. She was one of Helen's friends that helped put salt in her tea. Later Helen blamed Margaret for the crime, but everyone knew that the timid Margaret was not the type of person to do such a thing.
"Oh, sister!"
Mirabelle greeted Elena's return with a radiant look. Fortunately, she did not look bored and seemed to be enjoying herself.
"O-oh. It's been a while, Lady Blaise."
Margaret started stuttering at Elena's appearance, and Elena glanced between at the two ladies in turn.
"How are you two together?"
By the way the tea party turned out, things should not have been amiable between them. Mirabelle quickly recognized Elena's meaning and explained.
"When Lady Lawrence saw me here, she came up to me and apologized. So I decided to accept her apology."
"It may be too late say this, but I truly am sorry."
Elena nodded slightly at Margaret's withered expression. Even if Margaret apologized now, it would make little difference. It was widely gossiped that she was the one who had put the salt in the tea. Some knew the real culprit was Helen, but as they couldn't tell it to her face, Margaret was the one who received all the blame. It wasn't reversible, but Margaret seemed sincere enough to come and apologize first.
"I won't think about it anymore, so please forget about it too, Lady Lawrence."
"Lady Blaise."
Margaret gazed at Elena with a moved expression, and Mirabelle looked between them contentedly.
Tang, tang, tang!
A bell rang out on the platform. The sound drew the attention of the room, and a man standing on the platform opened his mouth.
"This is what many of you have been waiting for. Shall we announce who are the candidates chosen as the Madonna of the ball?"
Elena had completely forgotten about it. The most beautiful woman at the ball. It was time to found it who it would be.